5 Aug 2016

Kuwait Olympic ban stands

2:44 pm on 5 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - Kuwait's athletes will compete under the Olympic flag at the Rio Olympics, after the country lost its court case against an International Olympic Committee ban.

The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach waves the Olympic Flag during the closing ceremony of Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, capital of east Chinas Jiangsu Province, Aug. 28, 2014.

The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach waves the Olympic Flag Photo: Photosport

A source has told Reuters a civil court in Switzerland rejected Kuwait's case against the IOC, which it brought after the Olympic body imposed the ban on the country in October last year.

Kuwait and the IOC have been at loggerheads over a new sports law that the IOC said will undermine the autonomy of sport in the country.

Kuwait has argued the law will strengthen the independence of sports bodies.

The court decision means Kuwait's nine athletes competing at Rio in shooting, fencing and swimming, will do so as neutral athletes, and will march under the Olympic flag at the opening ceremony on Saturday (NZ Time).

The court also ordered Kuwait and its Public Authority for Sport (PAS) to pay the IOC about $NZ 15,000 in fees and expenses.

Kuwait can appeal to the Swiss Federal court within 30 days.

- Reuters